Revision Tips

Revision can be a very scary time for students with exams rapidly approaching, but it is important to not allow the stress to get to you! This page is designed to help you get the most out of your revision, and out of your online exams.

Making the most of your revision time

• Schedule regular breaks
  – Recommendation of taking a 15-minute break every 50-90 minutes of work
  – Use a timer to stick to a schedule and break time
• Try to avoid using Social Media until your designated break time. Have you thought about turning your phone off?
• Coordinate breaks to catch up with friends (give them a call!)
• Ensure the time allocated to working is used effectively and efficiently 
• In order to get the most out of your revision time, make sure that you take allocated breaks for food and sleep – without proper nutrients and a chance for your brain to rest, your revision will not be efficient

• Here are some recommended links:
  • https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/how-have-productive-study-break
  • https://www.brainscape.com/blog/2011/06/how-to-take-a-study-break/
  • https://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Break-from-Studying

What to do on a break?

• Exercise- this helps to increase memory and cognitive performance
• Tidy your workspace- having a clear workspace gives you a clear head and means your revision time is effective
• Have a conversation with someone
• Grab something to eat
• Take a shower
• Practice meditating- here are some links to follow:
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw71zanwMnY
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JslvBcIVtDg
• Do some stretches- here is a link to follow:
  • https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Z8C4vfIeho8

How to minimise procrastination?

Changing your outlook:

• Don’t punish yourself for procrastinating, instead, try and reward yourself for getting a task done
• Make a task list or timetable
  – Break tasks into smaller activities
• Don’t dwell on perfection at first take, aim to get it done – you can always improve on something but you can’t improve on nothing
• Self-talk motivation (‘Aaron, you’ve got this’)
• Do the hardest task first (then the rest of your day will be a breeze)
• Set a 15-minute timer to get started on something, once the 15 minutes has passed you will likely feel less inclined to stop

Removing distractions:

• Find a workspace that works for you, that makes you feel calm and focused
• Change workspace between breaks
• Listen to music with no lyrics or lyrics in a language you do not know
• Use app locks to avoid excessive phone use
• Remove your phone from your study space